Aliens

Jensen has been interning with the Aquabats! Super Show this semester. They are shooting some of their latest season here in Salt Lake. Shanna and Christian were very nice to give her the opportunity. She has really enjoyed herself. We went to the studio recently to see some of the filming and Christian gave us a tour, we think there was some drama going on amongst the production team and he wanted no part of it. We took some fun pictures including this one with Ailsa in a heating duct.

Thanksgiving 2012

We had another very nice time this past Thanksgiving down at the Hoke's river house. We are ever indebted to Kim and Ed and their generosity.

I will attempt to break with tradition and tackle this out topically.

Bike: So we could drive the Avalon (and spend less on gas, and probably be more comfortable) I bought a trunk lid bike rack from some guy on KSL Classifieds for $20. Pretty good deal. I rode twice, on Thanksgiving day with Stuart and Landon and Clayton (I think that was all) and then on Friday with Stuart. I did okay. I was left behind a couple of times because of climbing. But, it was all good. I had been having trouble with my knee (IT band) since the Tour de Saint George). But, after a couple of weeks of stretching and rolling, it was much better. Friday's ride with Stuart was just more work. I didn't feel great, possibly because my body isn't used to replenishing its glycogen stores on a 24 hour cycle.

Shooting: We went shooting two times. The first time with a pretty big group. We convinced almost everyone to try the Mosin. Even Brenna did. It was fun. Jeremy made some pretty impressive shots with it. I had a little bit of a time keeping track of everything and helping everyone. But, it worked out. The second time we had a smaller group and it was a little more relaxed. Lenore was having some trouble with the Buckmark (we have some after-market magazines that are a little difficult to get in all the way. I fixed it and then turned, took aim and squeezed off a round, hitting a soda can about 35 yards away. She said, “hey that's what I was shooting at!” Ooops.

Weather: Was just beautiful. About 80 and clear with no wind. The water temp in the river was QUITE cold though. Thanksgiving afternoon Lenore and I spent about an hour sitting on the dock occasionally dipping our feet in the water. From time to time grand nieces or nephews (some of them quite young) came to visit us. I had to tell them to be careful and not fall into the river. I wouldn't want Lenore to have to go in to rescue them in the freezing water. It really was a very transcendent hour, very nice. We are so blessed.

Thanksgiving dinner: Everything was good. Even the deep-fried turkey. Not always my favorite, was very good. Kristin made Mississppi Mud pie, ham was good. We all ate too much. But, kept going back for more.

The drive: mostly uneventful. We stayed in Saint George both coming and going and spent Saturday evening and Sunday morning with Grandma and Grandpa. Always grateful for their hospitality.

For a while I've been wanting one of these low-cost Russian surplus rifles, the mosin nagant 91/30 that shoots a 7.63x54r round. I finally broke down and bought one. Our specimen was made in 1938. It is in pretty good shape I think. The kids are excited. Jensen especially thinks the bayonet is cool.